Documentaries often are made by a curious outsider looking in on a subject. Kirby F. Warnock - writer and director of "Brothers in Blues: Jimmie and Stevie Ray Vaughan" - grew up in the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas with the guitar-playing brothers, giving him a refreshing perspective from the inside looking out.
Warnock secured some high-profile talking heads for his film: Eric Clapton, Billy Gibbons, Nile Rodgers, Jackson Browne. But in "Brothers in Blues," these Rock & Roll Hall of Famers receive no preferential treatment over Dallas-area players like Johnny Peebles, Tommy Carter and Jimmy Wallace, who traveled closely in space and time with the two Vaughan siblings.
The result is a film refreshing for its centeredness. Warnock wrote, produced, directed and narrated "Brothers in Blues," which screens at the Heights Theater on March 26 and can be rented through Vudu. His narration, in particular, lends it a warmth and familiarity. Rather than the Voice of God-style commentary prevalent in documentary filmmaking, Warnock imbues "Brothers in Blues" with the vibe of an impromptu story told by a natural raconteur. His approach is informal, with little disarming editorial comments that create an effect both personal and charming.